Sanctuary of the Phoenix

Sanctuary of the Phoenix We are a Pagan Sanctuary, Community, and Coven. We are eclectic and embrace many paths in Paganism.

We are a 501(c)3 Pagan Sanctuary, Community, Coven, and Charitable Organization. We are Eclectic and embrace many paths in Pagan belief systems.

11/06/2025

We wanted to wish everyone a Blessed Samhain. At 11:05PM Eastern we will be at 15° Scorpio, which is the real Samhain. Be blessed this evening, and welcome the good memories of loved ones who no longer walk with us.

Blessed Be.

01/02/2025

Blessed day after Yuletide! (01/01/2025)

Today is sacred to rest and new beginnings.

A traditional suggested food for tonight would be Black Eye Peas, but our we might just order delivery tonight or have leftovers.

Traditionally, today is a day we begin to fulfill our oaths. Those who had a year and a day of handfasting would decide to be together for the rest of their lives or part. People would collect the coals of the Yule Log to use as kindling for the next year’s yule log, and some would sprinkle the Yule ashes around the home, barns, yards, and farms for protection. These were also a common tradition in the ancient form of Yule, though the Ancient Yule was 3 nights starting on the first Full Moon after the first New Moon after Winter Solstice.

The modern Yuletide has given us 12 nights of venerating family, community, friends, and deities. It gives us a moment to slow down, and each night respect the months of the coming year and reflect on the months we have been through. It is an honor of devotion to apply one’s self to observing such a long holiday in our often 1 and done society. My favorite days of Yuletide are often the days after December 25th. When many in the world have bustled around for months to observe 1 singular day, and then the next day that spirit and meaning have evaporated and the echo of what was gifted becomes more important than what they claim to observe. In contrast, those of us in a Pagan faith who observe Yuletide is still going strong with the spirit of our holidays for about a week after. The gift exchange is often done on Solstice, meaning the observational aspect gets extended far past the gifting. For those who also observe Ancient Yule, the Yuletide is far from over and the most sacred part is yet to come on Jan 25th of 2024 lasting for 3 nights.

In our Sanctuary, tonight would traditionally be an evening where we would do initiation rituals for our coven and have an installation ceremony celebrating Clergy who were ordained in the past year.

We would also hold an installation ceremony for new officers and new board members. As we do not have a building for such gatherings, these ceremonies are postponed.

Welcome the new year, welcome light back into our hearts, and welcome the hope of a better year. Be the change.

No matter how you celebrate today, do so with love. Genuine love. This world needs it right now.

Celebrate the year we are now on this night.

Be blessed this night.

Blessed New Year!

Blessed Be!

12/31/2024

Blessed Twelfth Night of Yuletide! (12/31/2024)

Tonight is sacred to all the divines and the final night of oaths.
A traditional suggested food for tonight would be roast pork and leftovers from previous nights of Yule. Our family is opting for Leftovers and various snacks of tradition.

Tonight is a great night to eat all leftovers, and many enjoy the tradition of eating black-eyed peas tomorrow, so clear it up and feast!

Tonight is sacred to all Pagan divinities in our Sanctuary, make devotion as you can tonight.

Tonight is also a night to Wassail! Though not required, it is a great night to honor the life-sustaining nature around you. Personally, I typically do this between December 24th and December 31st.

Do your best to dust off this old year and open your heart and minds to the new year. The new year will bring new blessings and new challenges, we can move forward and let things go if we so choose.

No matter how you celebrate tonight, do so with love. Genuine love. This world needs it right now.

Tomorrow, I shall bring forward the observance of post-yule.

Celebrate the coming year this night.

Be blessed this night.

Blessed Yuletide!

Blessed Be!

12/31/2024

Blessed Eleventh Night of Yuletide! (12/30/2024)

Tonight is sacred to Warriors and Valkyries.

A traditional suggested food for tonight would be black pudding, mashed potatoes, grilled onions, and bacon.

Today we are observant of the warriors in our lives. The service members, veterans, and front-line workers in our community.

As Yuletide progresses, we are reminded that honor and heroes can be found in the most unlikely of places and that a battlefield can have many forms.

This year, I am thinking especially of the humanitarian workers and the homeland defenders of Ukraine, Слава Україні! (Slava Ukrayini!)

Thank you to all the Warriors and Valkyries in our families and communities. To all those who fight so we may have peace and fight to preserve life.

Celebrate the promise of a future of healing and peace this night.

Be blessed this night.

12/30/2024

Blessed Tenth Night of Yuletide! (12/29/2024)

Tonight is sacred to Light and Sunna.

A traditional suggested food for tonight would be fish, like roasted salmon or salmon cakes, but we opted for leftovers in our family.

Today we are observant of the daytime and sunlight.

As Yuletide progresses, we are reminded that in these dark days is a return to light, and the promise of each day being longer until midsummer.

Celebrate the return of light this evening.

Be blessed this night.

Blessed Yuletide!

Blessed Be!

12/29/2024

Blessed Ninth Night of Yuletide! (12/28/2024)

Tonight is sacred to Odin, Fathers, and Father Ancestors.

A traditional suggested food for tonight would be Rinderrouladen.

Today we are observant of the guidance and provision that a Father brings to the family.

The love of a Father is as boundless as the love a Mother holds. In our modern times, the domestic roles of a Mother or Father can be anything but traditional, both roles are often carried by one person. But through provision, love, and guidance a Father has real strength.

Celebrate the Fathers in your family this evening.

Be blessed this night.

Blessed Yuletide!

Blessed Be!

12/28/2024

Blessed Eighth Night of Yuletide! (12/27/2024)

Tonight is sacred to Ullr and Skadi.

A suggested meal for tonight would be Polish Hunter’s Stew (Bigos), however, you can substitute it with any meat and mushroom meal easily if you like. Some enjoy snow cones or snowball cookies for dessert this night. If you are lucky to be where snow falls, catching a snowflake on the tongue is a good omen.

Today we are observant of the bounty of hunting and foraging.

Both Skadi and Ullr are deities of winter and hunting.

It is said that Ullr was the God to gift the knowledge of Skis.

Skadi was a fierce and independent woman, like Freya.

She is the Goddess of Snowshoes and a keen archer.

In some parts of Scandinavia, there is a claim that Skadi and Ullr were married, and many Jarls claimed to be of their lineage.

Keep in reverence this night the hunters in your life; family, friends, and community. They tend to be provisioners of what they have to share and skilled at giving such bounty. They often use their talents to sustain life in many ways, including food, furs, and bones. May the hunters in your life aim true, take only what is needed, and share kindly.

Be blessed this night.

Blessed Yuletide!

Blessed Be!

12/26/2024

Blessed Seventh Night of Yuletide! (12/26/2024)

Tonight is sacred to Thor, Sif, and Children.

A suggested meal for tonight would be sausages with caramelized onions.

Today we are observant of Thor and Sif. Children are of high importance this night, and the protection of children is a high honor. Children speak a universal language of laughter, play, and smiles that we as adults must do our best to preserve. As they grow, may they be safe, taught well, well-clothed, and well-fed.

Be blessed this night.

Blessed Yuletide!

Blessed Be!

12/25/2024

Blessed Sixth Night of Yuletide! (12/25/2024)

Tonight is sacred to healing and the God Eir.

A suggested meal for tonight would be roasted Chicken or Goose, but roasted Lamb is also nice.

Today we are observant of Healing. These past few years especially, healing has taken center stage.

Tonight, it is important to remind ourselves to do what we can to ensure the health of those we love as well as ourselves. May you and your loved ones be in good health in the year to come.

Be blessed this night.

Blessed Yuletide!

Blessed Be!

12/24/2024

Blessed Fifth Night of Yuletide! (12/24/2024)

Tonight is sacred to Community.

A suggested meal for tonight would be a community meal, potlucks, friendship bread, stone soup, etc.
My suggestion is to use locally sourced foods and support your community.

Today we are observant of the bonds of community. This encompasses family, friends, neighborhood, as well as the online communities and faith communities you belong to.

Tonight is a night to celebrate the bonds that tie us all together. It is a great time to volunteer in the community, there is a growing need for volunteers in all communities and I urge all to do what they can safely.

Tonight is also a great night to donate to a good cause.

Be blessed this night.

Blessed Yuletide!

Blessed Be!

12/23/2024

Blessed Fourth Night of Yuletide! (12/23/2024)

Tonight is sacred to Aegir, Njord, and Freyr.

A suggested meal for tonight would be bean and ham soup, or barley and bacon soup. It would pair well with homemade bread or sourdough bread.

Today we are observant of compassion and the love of kindness and hospitality. We are thankful for our families and our closest friends, we appreciate a love of self, as well as selfless compassion.

Be blessed this night.

Blessed Yuletide!

Blessed Be!

12/23/2024

Blessed Third Night of Yuletide! (12/22/2024)

Tonight is sacred to Mani, darkness, the moon, and night.

A suggested meal for tonight would be Spiced Beef with Black Forrest Gateau (Cake - Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte), however, having leftover ham is just as acceptable.

Tonight is the night when we appreciate the darkness, as well as the light to be found in the darkness. We look forward to the spring in anticipation, keeping in mind months like March and the festivities of spring in general.

Tonight is a good night of reflection, maybe spend some time in quiet candlelight (or LED Candlelight). Courage and strength are important on this night, as we honor overcoming in the face of fear and adversity.

It is an especially strong honor in years such as this due to the pandemic, where we as a world have grappled with fear, grief, loss, and adversity.

Being thankful for what we have, and the fortune of what we will have one day, and the anticipation that hope brings as we await the end of winter and the return of spring.

Be blessed this night.

Blessed Yuletide!

Blessed Be!

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Grand Rapids, MI
49503

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